by Katherine Khoo December 16, 2022 5 min read

The holiday season is upon us again, and while gratitude should be expressed year-round, this season serves as a helpful reminder for us to ponder the things we are most thankful for, and for many of us, that includes our precious pups. We are all thankful for the unconditional love, joy, and laughter our dogs give us daily. So, it’s nice to do something for them that’s special occasionally, to say “thank you for all you do for me.”

Ways to Say Thank You to Your Dog

1. Have a doggy date day

One of the best gifts you can give your dog is your time and affection. Take a day off. Spend it with your dog! Give them your undivided attention. Dogs really do appreciate a day with their favourite person. Choose an activity that fido loves. It could be a bicycle ride together, a nature hike, a walk along the beach or just snuggling at home. No one is more gleefully pleased with your attention than your dog.  

Ways to Say Thank You to Your Dog

2. Give him a relaxing massage

Who doesn’t love a good body massage? Send him to a doggy massage therapist for a relaxing, spa day, or learn how to do this yourself at home. It’s a great way to thank him for all the wonderful things that he has brought into your life. If you are not confident giving fido a full body massage at home, the simple workaround is to use a 2-in-1 grooming cum massage brush like this KONG ZoomGroom Dog Brush. This brush is great for bath use with shampoo, and for dry brushing afterward to give the dog’s coat a smooth and shiny finish. It helps to remove loose hair, and at the same time, stimulates capillaries and natural oil production for healthy skin and coat.

Ways to Say Thank You to Your Dog

3. Yummy treats!

Tasty food and treats rank very high on the list of things dog loves. With most dogs, you can’t go wrong with food. Buy or make him something special like a pupcake or a dog ice cream, as a thank you. Give him a premium chew treat like this Zeal Free Range Air Dried Veal Spare Ribs Dog Treats. Dogs enjoy the act of chewing. They love to chew on bones, sticks, and just about anything else available. Dogs chew for fun, they chew for stimulation, and they chew to relieve anxiety. So, this 100% natural chew treat is paw-fect for any dog: young and old.  

Ways to Say Thank You to Your Dog

4. Get a new toy

You may have noticed that different dogs prefer different toys. Each dog has a unique personality, and a unique play style and different play styles often call for different toys. So, choose the toy according to your dog’s play style.

To discover your dog’s play style, leave your pup to his own devices and observe. It won’t take long before you have a sense of whether your dog is a digger, a chewer, a problem solver, a chaser, or a wrestler. Diggers love to unearth “buried treasures”. They will enjoy a game of hide-and-seek or the snuflle mat. Chewers will sink their teeth into anything, so a non-toxic, tough dog chew toy is for them. And the chasers will enjoy running after a ball or frisbee. If you have a wrestler who loves a good roll on the floor with a plush toy, get the Studio Ollie Nosework Dog Toy (Christmas Stocking). The Red Dingo Durables range of toys are made with certified non-toxic, super tough materials that outperform other fabric dog toys for tear, cut & puncture resistance.  

Ways to Say Thank You to Your Dog

5. Go for longer walks

This one cost nothing but will make your dog happy. There are many unique trails, parks, beach areas, and neighbourhoods to explore around Singapore. Get your dog out for a nice long walk or if you prefer to watch, head out to a nearby dog run. Let him mingle and play with the other dogs at the park. He may even make a new friend or two!

6. Get a dog pool

A wading pool is a great way to have fun with your dogs, especially when it’s too hot to go for walks. It helps to keep your pup cool on a hot day, and the act of splashing around and bobbing for toys is great enrichment for the dog.

If you have the yard for it, get them the All For Paws Splash & Fun Outdoor Dog Pool. It’s made from very robust and reinforced PVC and comes with an anti-slip base. This makes it ideal for dogs to play, jump and splash around in it. The added advantage of this All For Paws Splash and Fun Pool – it’s foldable and can be easily stored away, and no inflation is required!

One thing to know is that your dog may not want to go into the pool at first. It’s new and unfamiliar to them. Most dogs will be hesitant to enter the pool. You have to teach a dog to use the wading pool. As with any training, give positive reinforcements with plenty of treats and praise. Once your dog understands how to get in and out of the pool, it’s time for a pool party!  

Ways to Say Thank You to Your Dog

7. Get that dog bed

If you have a senior with arthritis, now’s the time to get that orthopedic bed. It’s probably one of the best gifts for your senior; a nice new bed to ease the achy joints. The Kashima Udon Noodles Bed For Dogs & Cats (Red) is everything you would want for your best friend. Made of 100% polyester, thick sponge and wool, it makes it very comfortable for dogs to tuck themselves in for bedtime. The cover can be removed or secured with velcro. The bottom of the bed is lined with anti-slip material so it remains secure in a fixed spot. The bed comes with a ramen patterned cushion which is removable and can be used independently. 

Ways to Say Thank You to Your Dog

This year, show your appreciation by including your dog in the festivities of the season. Find that special something to say “Thanks Buddy” to your best friend. We hope some of our ideas listed here will help you find that special, unique gift; something that will contribute to his happiness and make him wag with excitement and joy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Katherine Khoo
KATHERINE KHOO
Katherine is a Pet Nutrition Specialist and GDP’s Pet Wellness Advisor. She is committed to helping pet owners make informed dietary and lifestyle choices in nurturing healthy pets. Katherine is also a practicing Nutritional Therapist (human nutrition) and has been helping hundreds of clients to heal naturally with nutrients.

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